Bathtub structure



June 17, 1969 A. E. SEIB 3,449,773

BATHTUB STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 15, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 i; y l i 'I INVENTOR. HA 65/77' E 65/6 CH orrzey United States Patert O 3,449,773 BATHTUB STRUCTURE Albert E. Seib, 603 SE. lst St., Evansville, Ind. 47713 Filed Sept. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 579,s43 Int. Cl. A47k 3/ 12 U.S. Cl. 4-175 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bathtub structure characterized by the provision of integrated shelf and storage areas in combination with a pivotal bathtub seat.

The present invention relates to a 'bathtub structure, and more particularly to a new and novel bathtbub having combined features not available heretofore.

As is known, the conventional built-in bathtub has certain drawbacks, including, for example, the prevalency of waste space, and additionally, the unhandiness thereof, particularly in the bathing of a small child. In this latter regard, no provision has been made heretofore for conveniently drying a small child after bathing, much less one which is part of the overall built-in bathtub unit.

By virture of the instant invention, the applicant herein has -provided a new and novel built-in bathtub structure integrated with features not in previous use. Most importantly, in the overall bathtub unit, the applicant has provided an extendible shelf which permits ease in drying a young person after bathing or which may serve other end purposes, as desired, In other words, the shelf defining an important feature of the invention at hand is normally concealed, but is extendible for convenient access and use.

Additionally, and in various arrangements, depending upon particular needs, other storage areas, such as drawers or fixed shelves, may :be used in combination with the aforesaid extendible shelf, -all being made part of the instant overall built-in bathtub unit. In other words, in accordance with the applicanfs new and novel invention, a conventional built-in bathtub can be reproportioned to achieve unexpected work areas and storage areas, as well.

Secondary to the above, but also a combined feature, the invention at hand provides a pivotal batht-bub seat which permits a person to bathe the lower body extremities while in a seated position, or even showering in a seated position, where the bathing or showering position is readily accomplished by a pivotal movement from outside of the bathtub into the inside area. Although pivotal seats or like arrangements have been proposed heretofore, the applica-nt's improvement resides in a seat which pivots in addition to the pivoting of the overall mounting arrangement.

The applicant's invention lends itself to ready manufacturing and installation, and provides features representing and important contribution to the art. Obviously, aesthetic changes may be made, including the custom provision of the desired storage areas.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a built-in bathtub structure having combined features not at all present heretofore.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel extendible utility shelf in comhination with a built-in bathtub arrangement.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel bathtub structure having, in addition to the above, various storage provisions; which is aesthetically pleasing; which is built-in in a known nianner; which is readily manufactured; and,

which may also include a pivotal seat and seat mounting arrangement for even added convenience to the user, such as an older person, for example.

Other objects and a better Understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an angled view of a bathtub structure in accordance with the teachings of the applicant's new and novel invention;

FIG. 2 is a 'plan view, partly fragmentary, showing further details of the features of the bathtub structure of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a View in vertical section, taken at line 3-3 of FIG. l, showing details of the extendible shelf mounting arrangement; and

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken at line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing details of the pivotal seat arrangement.

For the purposes of promoting an Understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicant's new and novel bathtub 10 is disclosed in a conventional built-in arrangement, i.e. surrounded on three sides by walls 12. The person-receving part of the bathtub structure may be made from one of the customary materials, such as porcelain, for example. In any event, a bathtub structure, as usually known, is reproportioned so that the important extendible shelf may *become a part thereof, as well as other pull-out drawers and a storage cabinet.

More particularly in this connection, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applicant's new and novel bathtub structure provides an extendible shelf 14, typically mounted on slide sections 16, the latter interconnecting the edges 14a of the shelf 14 with surrounding framework 17 (see FIG. 3). As should be evident, when the use of the shelf is desired, as in drying a small infant after bathing, for example, the shelf is readily pulled out from its normally concealed position to the position of FIGS. 1 and 2. A handle 14b, for example, may be provided, serving utilitarian as well as decorative purposes.

As further evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, the integrated featured 'built-in bathtub 10 defining the instant invention may further comprise a plurality of drawers 21, as well as a storage cabinet 22. The arrangement of the aforesaid extendible shelf 14, the drawers 21, and the storage cabinet 22 may be varied, in the sense of a custom installation, and, of course, depending upon ultimate use.

Another feature which may be combined as part of the invention at hand is evident in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, i.e. a pivotal seat 25 which serves to assist older people in entering the bathtub 10 or, in the alternative, and as a matter of example, permits the simple hathing of feet or other lower extremites of the body. More speccally, and typically, the aforesaid seat 25 is pivotally mounted on the front rim of the bathtub 10, where such front rim includes a cut-out portion 26 in which an upstanding support rod 27 is disposed. A collar-like member 29 is disposed on the upstanding support rod 27, and an arm 30 extends therefrom, pivotally receiving the seat 25 at its free end.

In other words, a double pivot action is provided, the arm 30 with reference to the upstanding support rod 3 27, and the seat 25 with reference to the arm 30. Such an arrangement provides important versatility to the invention, and lends itself to -adaptability in the event that this latter feature is desired with the overall integrated unit.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel bathtu'b structure in the form of a built-in unit having an extendible supporting shelf 14. Additionally, and also in combin-ation therewith, if desired, storage drawers 21 and cabinet space 22 can be provided in any aesthetically desrable arrangement. Moreover, the combination can 'be further expanded to include the double pvoted seat 25 described hereabove.

The instant invention provides good -aesthetic appearance as well as safety for the user. The convenience of a support shelf, and the other storage space, is new and novel, with the double pivotal seat providing a further feature, if used. The bathtub structure described herea'bove is, of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the in'vention. For example, proportioning and overall aesthetics may be varied, other type mounting means provided for the extendible shelf, and various materials used for the storage area.

Iclaim:

1. A bathtub structure comprising, in combination, a built-in bathtub having an extendible shelf along a side 4- wall thereof, and a double pivotal seat, said double pivotal seat being pivotally disposed on an arm, and said arm being pivotally disposed on -a, support member extending from said bathtub.

2. The bathtub structure of claim 1 where storage compartments are provided in combination with said extendible shelf.

3. The bathtub structure of claim 1 where slide members mount said extendi-ble shelf.

4. The bathtub structure of claim 1 where said extendible shelf is normally concealed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 129,038 8/1941 Fensch 4-175 X 29,493 8/1860 Iske 4-175 X 1,127,139 2/1915 West 4-175 X 588,399 5/ 1947 Great Britain.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Exam're'.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 4-185 

